NAUSHAD FORBES was the face of Indian business back in 2016, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetised 86 per cent of the currency in circulation. Forbes, then president of the Confederation of Indian Industry and co-chairman of one of India's biggest engineering firms, Forbes Marshall, was forced to do a tightrope walk in handling India Inc's response to the dramatic move.
Interestingly, it also sowed the seeds of an idea for a book, on his apprehensions over India's future. The Covid-19 lockdown gave him time to put his thoughts into the book The Struggle and the Promise (Harper Business). But do not expect to find a de rigueur business success story peppered with anecdotes of interactions with the high and mighty. Forbes's focus is firmly on laying out a blueprint that will help India live up to its promise.
Even while raking in the billions, this industrialist has always had an academic bent of mind. The same academic inclination prompted him to present an articulate vision for "restoring India's potential". Excerpts from an exclusive interview:
Q/ What made you put your thoughts out there?
I could both sense [India’s] potential, and what we needed to do to tap it. [And,] from 2017, I have felt that we were not in a better shape than the previous year—this was from an economic perspective as well as from a wider cultural perspective. These were things we needed to address.
Q/ What are the worry points?
Since 2017, we started seeing greater trade protectionism and a move away from free trade which had characterised India from 1991 onward. From 1991 to 2017, India was increasingly open. But [during] 2017 to 2021, we started to turn somewhat inward.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 03, 2022-Ausgabe von THE WEEK India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 03, 2022-Ausgabe von THE WEEK India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Hat-Trick Or Has-Beens?
India look to win their third straight Test series in Australia, but ageing superstars and recent humiliation at home have cast a shadow on their hopes
Constipation Can Put Your Heart At Risk
PEOPLE WITH CONSTIPATION have an increased risk of major cardiac events, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure, especially if they also have high blood pressure, finds an international study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing
SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS can harm the heart and accelerate ageing, even if you are young and get the minimum recommended amount of daily exercise, according to a US study published in the journal PLOS One.
Efficiency and innovation
As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills
Level up
Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries
Mind matters
Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability
Cutting edge
Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.
The smallest cut
Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon
Signalling a revolution
Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin